Making sure athletes are safe during summertime sports practices

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – After a week of below-average temperatures, things are set to warm back up. Typical summer heat can create issues for student-athletes as they make their returns to the field.

Dr. Scotty Newcomer is a non-surgical orthopedist with Norton Sports Medicine. He says preparing athletes for safe practice in warm weather begins before they step foot on the field.

“Knowing what the temperature is going to be, the humidity, surface temperature, knowing all those are very important. So, planning ahead, such as if it’s going to be a hot day I want to wear light-colored clothing versus dark-colored clothing,” said Dr. Newcomer.

Hydration is key when you spend a lot of time outside. Dr. Newcomer says it’s important to hydrate not just during practice but also before.

“When it gets hot, you know, you sweat profusely. You’ve got to have that storage of fluids there. You’ve got to hydrate,” said Dr. Newcomer.

Dr. Newcomer says there is no one answer to how much water you should drink before, during, or after a sports practice.

“It really comes down to a person-to-person, you know, athlete-to-athlete situation. We’ve had athletes that we are pre-hydrating crazy amounts of fluid, and they still cramp up,” said Dr. Newcomer.

He says there’s a simple way to tell if you’re hydrating enough.

“How much are you using the restroom, and what color is your urine that you’re, you know, urinating, you know, we want it to be clear, or a very, very light yellow, anything darker, you’re not hydrating enough,” said Dr. Newcomer.

Dr. Newcomer says it’s important to watch for signs during practice, too. Things like cramping or hot skin without sweating are common signs of heat-related illnesses.

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